TRACK: NORTH
DISTANCE: 111.5 KM
ELEVATION DIFFERENCE: 6522 M
“THIS IS A FIRST FOR ME. I HOPE NAIVETY WILL HELP ME.”
Clément has never run such a long distance. Along with Axelle and Gauthier, he's part of the WISE team, lining up for a direct route between Annecy and Chamonix: 111.5 km and 6,522 m of elevation gain. The start is at 4:20 a.m., in the rain. Bags are packed, everyone's movements calm. No visible excitement, everyone is focused.
From the first few kilometers, the teams take it all in. The Glières Plateau is barely visible through the fog. The wind blows hard, the rain never stops. No grand gestures, no shouts. The team moves forward without overacting, focused, united, yet without effusion.
STAY IN THE RHYTHM
Further on, the Chinaillon breaks the rhythm. The climbs are steep, long, and tricky. Legs become heavy, footing less secure. Yet, no one drops out. Everyone holds their place in the group. Everyone moves forward.
The arrival in Sallanches marks the end of the first day: 75.6 kilometers, 5,054 meters of elevation gain, and a deep sense of fatigue. They eat, they rest. They fall silent, sometimes. No need to talk more than necessary. The important thing is to get going again.
FINISH WITHOUT BREAKAGE
Day 2. New light at Lac de Passy. Their bodies are scarred, but their desire remains intact. They resume their progress without rushing, until the final climb to Chamonix via Les Houches. The terrain becomes rocky, the movements more intense, and yet: the pace quickens. In Chamonix, the arrival is joyful. A visible relief, a shared pride. For some, it's a deliverance. For others, the simple feeling of having held the line.
“ULTRA IS NOT A PERFORMANCE. IT IS A DISPLACEMENT OF ONE'S OWN LIMITS.”
A Mountain Jam , an adventure designed by ultra runners, for ultra runners.
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